The LEGO Ninjago Movie – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

77%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Ninja teens fight a villain who's also the main character's dad—it's complicated, it's LEGO, and it's actually pretty fun.

6.1/10

56%

6.5

→

The LEGO Ninjago Movie

movie

PG, 2017

77%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Ninja teens fight a villain who's also the main character's dad—it's complicated, it's LEGO, and it's actually pretty fun.

6.1

56%

6.5

Jump to

Also rated on

6.1/10

56%

6.5

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

This is the LEGO Cinematic Universe's third outing, and it shows—it's competent, colorful, and entertaining, but doesn't have the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the original LEGO Movie. That said, it's a perfectly solid family watch with genuine heart.

The father-son story actually works better than you'd expect. Lloyd dealing with his villain dad (who's hilariously terrible at parenting) gives the movie emotional stakes beyond just 'save the city.' It's a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of complicated family dynamics, wrapped in ninja action and LEGO humor.

For kids already into Ninjago from the TV series or toy line, this is a no-brainer. For everyone else, it's a safe, energetic pick that won't rot anyone's brain and might even spark some good conversations about family and forgiveness. Not a masterpiece, but a reliable rainy-day watch that delivers exactly what it promises: ninjas, LEGO, and dad issues.

Age Fit

Best for elementary through early middle school kids (6-12). Younger kids will enjoy the action and LEGO humor; older kids might find it a bit juvenile unless they're already Ninjago superfans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Features themes of family reconciliation, teamwork, and finding inner strength. The father-son relationship (Lloyd and Garmadon) drives the emotional core, modeling forgiveness and understanding. Ninja team demonstrates cooperation and loyalty. Some typical action-movie conflict and mild insults, but overall tone is positive and emotionally healthy for kids.

Imaginative

LEGO format inherently celebrates building and creativity. Features inventive vehicle designs, colorful ninja powers, and the blend of ancient Eastern-inspired ninja culture with modern teen life creates interesting juxtaposition. The physical LEGO aesthetic reminds kids they can build these worlds themselves. Less groundbreaking than The LEGO Movie (2014) but still sparks creative play.

Safe

Cartoon action violence only—characters are LEGO minifigures so stakes feel appropriately low. No gore, sexual content, or truly frightening moments. Villain is the protagonist's father, which adds emotional complexity but is handled with humor. Some mild peril and city destruction, but all within expected bounds of a PG animated action-comedy. No surprise traumatic content.

Enriching

Explores meaningful themes: accepting imperfect parents, finding your own identity separate from family legacy, and the power of forgiveness. Lloyd's journey from rejected son to hero who saves his villainous father offers emotional growth. However, it's primarily an entertaining action-comedy—the lessons are present but not as deep or memorable as Pixar's best. Solid entertainment value with some heart.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Father-son reconciliation story offers genuine emotional depth beneath the plastic bricks
Celebrates teamwork and loyalty through the ninja squad dynamics
LEGO format keeps action light and encourages kids to build their own versions
Balances martial arts action with teen humor and high school struggles kids relate to
Jackie Chan voices Master Wu, adding martial arts movie credibility

⚠

What to Watch For

The absent/villain father theme might hit differently depending on your family situation—could spark good conversations or uncomfortable ones
By 2017, the LEGO movie formula was wearing thin for some audiences—this isn't as fresh as the original
Lots of action and city destruction, though all cartoonish and consequence-free
Kids unfamiliar with Ninjago franchise might feel less invested than fans

Conversation Starters

"Lloyd has to fight his own dad—how would you feel if someone you loved was doing something really wrong?"
"The ninjas are heroes at night but regular kids at school. Do you ever feel like you have different versions of yourself?"
"What would you do if everyone expected you to be just like your parent, but you wanted to be different?"
"The movie shows that even 'bad guys' can change. Do you think everyone deserves a second chance?"

Deep Dive

The "Third Movie" Problem

By the time this hit theaters in 2017, the LEGO cinematic formula was starting to feel a little predictable. If the first movie was a stroke of genius and the second was a hilarious subversion of a superhero icon, this one is more of a straightforward action-comedy that happens to be made of plastic. Critics and audiences hovered right around that "meh" territory in the high 50s and low 60s, and honestly, that’s fair. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it does offer a very specific brand of daddy-issue humor that lands surprisingly well for adults.

If you’ve already sat through The LEGO Movie or The LEGO Batman Movie, you know the drill: fast-paced dialogue, self-aware jokes, and enough visual clutter to keep a toddler catatonic. The difference here is the scale. Instead of a multiversal hop, we stay in Ninjago City, which allows the movie to lean into its identity as a love letter to classic giant-monster and martial-arts cinema.

The TV Series Disconnect

Here is the main thing you need to know before hitting play: this is not the TV show. If your house is already deep into the Ninjago lore, your kids might have some notes. The movie essentially reboots the characters, changes their personalities slightly, and swaps out the entire voice cast.

For some kids, this is a betrayal. For others, it’s just "the movie version." The film focuses almost entirely on Lloyd and his father, Garmadon, leaving the other ninjas—Kai, Jay, Zane, Nya, and Cole—to act as a colorful support squad. If your kid’s favorite character is anyone other than the Green Ninja, they might feel a bit shortchanged by the lack of screen time for the rest of the crew.

Martial Arts and Master Wu

One of the genuine highlights is the involvement of the legendary Jackie Chan. He voices Master Wu and his stunt team actually choreographed the fights in live action before they were translated into LEGO animation. You can feel that influence in the way the characters move. It’s not just random clicking bricks; it’s fluid, clever, and often very funny physical comedy.

If this movie sparks a sudden interest in "real" ninja moves, it’s a great jumping-off point to look into Jackie Chan’s legacy of using the environment for stunts. The movie even uses a live-action framing device featuring Chan that adds a bit of grounded charm to the otherwise frantic animation.

Is it Worth the Screen Time?

If you are looking for a deep, philosophical masterpiece, keep moving. But as a centerpiece for a family movie night, it’s reliable. It’s shorter than your average blockbuster at 101 minutes, it looks gorgeous, and the jokes about Garmadon not being able to pronounce Lloyd’s name (he says "L-Loyd") are the kind of stupid-funny bits that stay with you.

It’s a solid "B" movie. It won't change your life, but it won't make you want to throw your remote through the screen either. If you’re trying to decide between this and another re-watch of a certain ice-queen musical, take the ninjas every single time.

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic